Nervous System & Mental Health

Nervous System

Enormous network of nerve fibers traversing the human body, functioning as the central operator and intelligence for body regulation.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Composed of the brain and spinal cord; acts as the command center of the body.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Composed of cranial and spinal nerves that link all parts of the body to the CNS.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the PNS involved in voluntary body movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the PNS responsible for involuntary body movements.

Cerebell/o

Refers to the cerebellum.

Cerebr/o

Refers to the cerebrum.

Cortic/o

Refers to the cerebral cortex.

Encephal/o

Refers to the brain.

Gangli/o & ganglion/o

Refers to ganglion.

Gli/o

Refers to neuroglia.

-lalia

Prefix meaning babble or speech.

-lepsy

Suffix indicating seizure.

-lexia

Suffix pertaining to reading.

-mania

Suffix indicating an obsessive or excited state.

Medull/o

Refers to the medulla oblongata or spinal cord.

Mening/o & meninge/o

Refers to meninges, membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Myel/o

Refers to the spinal cord.

Narc/o

Refers to unconsciousness or stupor.

Neur/o, Neur/I

Refers to the nervous system, tissues, or nerves.

-paresis

Suffix indicating weakness.

-phasia

Suffix relating to speech.

-phobia

Suffix indicating irrational and persistent fear.

-plegia

Suffix meaning paralysis.

-psych/o

Prefix that means mind.

Radicul/o

Refers to spinal nerve root.

Somn/o

Refers to sleep.

Thalam/o

Refers to thalamus.

Ventricul/o

Refers to ventricle or cavity.

Amnesia

Loss of memory.

Ataxia

Loss of muscular coordination.

Axon

A fiber in the neuron that carries impulses away from the neuron cell body.

Bradykinesia

Abnormal or slowness of motion.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord.

Cephalgia

Headache.

Cerebrospinal

Pertaining to the brain and spinal cord.

Craniotomy

Surgical opening into the skull.

Dendrite

A fiber in the neuron that carries impulses toward the body of a cell.

Discectomy

Surgical excision of an intervertebral disc.

Dysphasia

Impairment of speech.

Encephalomalacia

Softening of the brain often due to ischemia or infarction.

Epidural

Pertaining to above or outside the dura mater.

Epilepsy

A brain disorder characterized by seizures due to abnormal electrical disturbances.

Gray Matter

Areas of the nervous system containing unmyelinated axons.

Hemiparesis

Weakness on one side of the body.

Intracranial

Within the skull.

Intrathecal administration

Injection into the spinal canal or subarachnoid space.

Laminectomy

Excision of the vertebral posterior arch or spinal process.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges.

Myelin

A substance that insulates axons.

Myelitis

Inflammation of the spinal cord or brain membranes.

Neuralgia

Severe pain along the course of a nerve.

Neuritis

Inflammation of a nerve.

Neurologist

Physician specializing in nervous system disorders.

Neurolysis

Destruction or breaking down of nerve tissue.

Neuron

Basic functional unit of the nervous system.

Neurorrhaphy

Repair of a severed nerve.

Neurosis

Emotional condition characterized by anxiety.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses.

Paranoia

Mental disorder characterized by delusions of persecution.

Peripheral Nervous System

Nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord.

Poliomyelitis

Infection causing inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord.

Psychosis

Severe mental disorder affecting perception of reality.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four limbs.

Radiculitis

Inflammation of the spinal nerve roots.

Sciatica

Pain along the sciatic nerve.

Subdural

Below the dura mater.

Vagotomy

Surgical incision of the vagus nerve.

White Matter

Areas of the nervous system containing myelinated axons.

Neuron

A single nerve cell consisting of a soma, dendrites, and an axon.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons.

Axon Terminals

Ends of axons that release neurotransmitters.

Synapse

Space between neurons where neurotransmitters transmit signals.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that relay signals between neurons, affecting various bodily functions.

Cerebrum

Part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions.

Frontal Lobe

Involved in planning, organizing, personality, and higher cognitive functions.

Temporal Lobes

Involved in auditory processing and memory.

Parietal Lobes

Involved in processing sensory information and spatial awareness.

Occipital Lobe

Responsible for processing visual information.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement and balance.

Brainstem

Responsible for essential life functions and connects the brain to the spinal cord.

Ventricles of the Brain

Cavities containing cerebrospinal fluid, cushioning the brain.

Meninges

Protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Cauda Equina

Collection of spinal nerves below the conus medullaris.

Cervical Segments

Part of the spinal cord that governs the neck and arms.

Thoracic Segments

Segments responsible for the chest and abdominal area.

Lumbar Segments

Segments controlling the lower back and legs.

Sacral Segments

Parts of the spinal cord that govern pelvis and lower limbs.

Coccygeal Segments

Segments associated with the tailbone.

Vertebral Segment

Single vertebral bone with its associated structures.

Vertebral Interspace

Space between two adjacent vertebral bodies.

Corpus

The main body of a vertebra.

Spinous Process

Projection of the vertebra that can be felt at the back.

Transverse Processes

Side projections of the vertebra.

Lamina/Laminae

Parts of the vertebra forming the posterior wall.

Facet Joints

Joints that stabilize the spine and enable mobility.

Myelination

The process of coating axons with a myelin sheath to speed up nerve impulse transmission.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate rapid conduction of impulses.

Nerve Plexus

Networks of intersecting spinal nerves.

Femoral Nerve

Innervates muscles of the front thigh and lower leg.